DANIEL SMITH PrimaTek Watercolors - 15ml TubesDANIEL SMITH PrimaTek paints are literally made from the ground up. From prehistoric times to the Renaissance and beyond, artists have relied on pigments mined from the earth, and we are truly proud to have revived these time-honored colors for today’s painters.
Our PrimaTek line began in 1998 with a cache of Lapis Lazuli—the gold-speckled blue gemstone seen in King Tut’s mask—that we found, ground and formulated into artist-quality watercolor paint. The response was great, and soon we hired a mineralogist to travel the globe in search of other exciting natural pigments.
Finding these pigments involves Indiana Jones-worthy journeys by plane, jeep and even mule to remote locations, identifying high-quality veins of ore and then negotiating procurement from local miners. The large minerals or “massive” as they are called are then processed to reveal the color within. From this pigment, our chemist and paint makers blend it with the perfect ratio of medium, grind and re-grind it to bring out the natural beauty of each color, then hand-package and hand-label each tube.
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“I have always been fascinated by rocks. In fact, some of my earliest memories are of finding rocks with unique colors and qualities, or of the smooth ones I could paint pictures on. I never dreamed then that I would one day be able to paint with them!
From the first brushstroke I knew that DANIEL SMITH PrimaTek paints were going to be an amazing addition to my watercolor palette. Hello rich natural colors, fascinating textures and the delight of the magical combination of water plus pure mineral pigment.
My students are thrilled with how simple it can be to create really exciting paintings. Landscapes nearly paint themselves! I’ve found they add an extra dimension to watercolor that captivates both beginners and seasoned artists alike. A painting experience not to be missed!”
—Julie Karlsson
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Because of the care we take every step of the way, we are able to bring you the best: truly professional-quality paints with consistency you’ll rely on tube after tube, year after year. We’re proud to offer 37 PrimaTek colors, from subtle neutral pinks and browns to vibrant jewel tones of red, blue and green. They bring natural beauty and rich texture to your palette, along with the unique history of pigments that are literally millions of years old.
See our article, "Where Nature Meets Art", for descriptions and usage tips on each color in our PrimaTek line, with lightfastness, staining, transparency and granulation information included.